New daughter has dad wrapped round her finger, say couple who started charity to help kids after losing their son.

Steve Braunias looks back on a year of thinking dangerously.

Church leaders remind us that the message of Christmas goes beyond just words.

Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye speaks about the positives following a "gruelling few months" since her breast cancer diagnosis.

An elderly woman has died after being hit by a car in Takapuna, on Auckland's North Shore. She is believed to be the first person killed in holiday period.

Syrian refugee Mohamad Eid Morad and his family are grateful to be celebrating a safe first Christmas together in New Zealand.

Like many Kiwi kids, 6-year-old Arian Truter loves Christmas. But this December 25 will be extra special because it's a miracle he's here to celebrate it.

"The volunteers are just amazing people, but the ones that are really at the top are the people we visit," says an Age Concern volunteer.

Dog fanatic had to give up her job and sell her designer handbags and jewellery in order to care for her 30 pugs.

Mexicans have delighted us with dishes like burritos, quesadillas, tacos and guacamole. But no Christmas celebration is complete without a drink called ponche con piquette.

A little boy who loves his rubbish truck driver got to give his hero an early Christmas gift.

A little girl has been reunited with her favourite teddy after she accidentally left him behind in Auckland Airport when her family moved to Germany.

Do you know someone who seems to have everything? Here are some perfect last minute ideas for an outside-the-box Christmas gift.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

Every day social workers and counsellors at Genesis Youth Trust in South Auckland are working with troubled youth to try to put them on the right path.

While many around the country enjoy a day off on Christmas Day; many others are toiling to ensure those less fortunate csan enjoy the annual festivities.

WATCH: Unitec preschool kids bring donations and some much-needed cheer to the Auckland City Mission.

Jo-Anne Ireland, from Alexandra, is not keen on the small garden-dwellers - but every year she gets a present from 'Santa'.

A man has died from a heart attack while in Christmas traffic near Wellington.

What would you do if you found $10,000 in a bag on the side of the road?

Photos of Hipster Santa are starting to pop up across the globe - here's a selection of the finest.

Have you ever dreamed of living in a scene from your favourite Christmas movie?

Fresh and delicious are the key words for Christmas fare.

Christmas Day should be fine but be ready for thunderstorms in the coming days.

Truck driver did not give up the keys easily to terror suspect who then rammed vehicle into crowded Christmas market.

With so many people need this Christmas more volunteers than ever before are needed to make sure people get what they need. Bernadine Oliver-Kerby talks to some of the volunteers that return year on year.

COMMENT: With the pure evil of Trump's corporate take-over of the White House, it's hard to feel Christmassy, writes Raybon Kan.

Auckland Airport is giving $120,000 to 12 charities as part of its annual 12 days of Christmas. The Herald is profiling each initiative.

Filipinos can do without turkey for Christmas, but never without lechon, says restaurateur Marjorie Delco.

This week, the Herald and Herald Focus are profiling struggling families who have lined up for parcels or food at Auckland's City Mission.